Lithuanians getting disappointed with govt, EU response to Russia's war in Ukraine -survey

VILNIUS – A growing number of Lithuanians are getting disappointed with the response of both the country's government and the European Union to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine, according to a new Eurobarometer poll.

Carried out this summer, the survey shows that 72 percent of Lithuanians are satisfied with the government's response and 50 percent are happy with the EU's response. Compared to a similar poll last winter, the number of those with a positive opinion has dropped by 9 and 13 percentage points respectively.

Despite the drop, Lithuania remains one of the most satisfied countries with its government's response, compared to the EU average of 55 percent, with Danes, Irish, Maltese, Portuguese, Finns and Swedes being more satisfied than Lithuanians.

Meanwhile, satisfaction with the EU's response in Lithuania is below the EU average of 57 percent.

SUPPORT FOR CUT IN ENERGY DEPENDENCE

Support for Ukraine remains strong among both among Lithuanians and Europeans in general, with an overwhelming majority being in favor of humanitarian aid (93 percent and 92 percent respectively) and the reception of people fleeing the war (90 percent each).

Economic sanctions are supported by 79 percent of Lithuanians and 78 percent of Europeans, which is a slight drop from last winter, and arms deliveries are backed by 83 and 68 percent respectively.

Attitudes towards energy independence remain largely unchanged among Lithuanians and across the EU, with 87 percent and 86 percent respectively believing that Russian energy resources should be phased out as soon as possible.

Asked what war consequences they feared the most, Lithuanians most often cited the threat of a nuclear conflict and the spread of the war both into their country and further into Europe.

At the same time, Europeans in general are mostly worried about rising prices, inflation, the economic crisis and the possible spread of the war in Europe.

RECORD-HIGH EU SUPPORT

Nearly three quarters of Lithuanians and two thirds of Europeans are optimistic about the EU's future, according to the Eurobarometer survey. Despite the ongoing war in Ukraine, the number of such people has risen compared to the results of the winter similar survey.

Among Europeans, the positive view of the European Union now stands at 47 percent, which is the highest score since the fall of 2009.

Some 59 percent of Lithuanians have a favorable view of the EU, up 10 percentage points since last winter.

The Eurobarometer survey of 26,468 EU citizens in 27 member states was carried out between June 17 and July 17.